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Today is Friday, October 28, 2010 and we are continuing our reading through the Bible. Today's message comes from the Book of Luke, chapters 19-20. In these chapters we will read about, Zacchaeus, the parable about the Kingdom of God, Jesus entering Jerusalem on a colt as according to the Scriptures, Jesus teaching in the Temple, the parable about the lord of the vineyard, and the God of the living, all Scripture quoted comes from the King James Version. If you would like to read today's chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: imfollowingjesus.com/bible-october-29

Today's Message: A Child of The Living God
The word sin is defined as a transgression, an illegal, abusive, or immoral action, most people understand sin to be adultery or committing a crime, but sin is more than that, it is any thought, word spoken, or action that is immoral or corrupting as well. For instance, while it is not a sin to be angry, it is a sin to act upon that anger in a vengeful way, while it is not a sin to look at a person, it is a sin to think of them in a lustful way, while it is not a sin to feel good about doing great work, it is a sin to be boastful about it, too proud. The Bible says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” - Romans 3:23.

No one is without sin, we have all done something in our lives, no matter how good we try to be, that is sinful. If you think you have never sinned, here is your answer, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” - I John 1:8-10. Do you know why so many people do not allow God in their lives? They do not want to admit that they have sin in their lives.

God will forgive anyone who comes to Him and confesses that they are sinners, people make the mistake of thinking that God only forgives a certain type of people, but this is false and that is why Jesus met with the rich and the poor. There are actually religions out there that get people to think that they can buy their salvation, this is false the only way to salvation is through Jesus Christ. This is illustrated when Jesus met with a man named Zacchaeus. “And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord: Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.”- Luke 19:3-9.

A publican or tax collector was known as the wealthiest, most corrupted position known during that time and Zacchaeus was the leader of them all. A tax collector was in charge of collecting the taxes from the people to give to the government, most tax collectors took more than they needed and pocketed it. When Zacchaeus heard that Jesus was passing by he wanted to see just what Jesus was all about, he was short so he climbed up in a tree to see Him. Little did he know that Jesus was coming right to him, he quickly came down, received Him joyfully and was saved. God will save anyone who wants to be saved, He does not force anyone, it is of our own free will that we go to Him, but we must go to Him. “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” - Romans 10:10.

The Sadducees did not believe in resurrection, but they tried to debate Jesus, “Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother....Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife. And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection. Now that the dead are raised, even Moses shewed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him.”- Luke 20:28,33-38.

If you know Jesus and live by Him than you are always going to have someone try to debate you, that is why it is important that we learn the truth by reading all of God's Word on a regular basis. The religious people were always trying to debate Jesus, they knew just enough Scripture to try and make it look as though they were following God's laws, but all they were doing is making themselves appear righteous before the people. The Scripture that Jesus quoted from came from here, “And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.... Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.” - Exodus 3:1-4,6.

God is God of the living, even when the flesh gives out there is a living soul inside every person who accepts Jesus Christ as their Savior that goes up to heaven until Jesus returns. Moses, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are all with God up in heaven along with every family member and friend that accepted that they are sinners and asked Jesus to save them. “And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.” - Romans 9:26. Praise God!

God knows who are His, who will be His, who will not be His, including those who think their religion or works are saving them. “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” - I John 5:12. If you have been deceived into thinking that your religion, works, or trying to be without sin are what get you to heaven it is time to talk to Jesus and ask Him to save you, He is the only way to eternal life and being a child of the living God.

Enjoy the rest of your day/night and weekend.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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